Over 10% of European Inventions Come from Universities

A new report from the European Patent Office (EPO) reveals that patent applications from European universities have increased significantly over the past two decades, now accounting for over 10% of all applications filed with the EPO by European entities. Among the key inventions originating from European universities are breakthroughs in vaccines, mRNA technology, materials science, and laser technologies.

The EPO has also announced updates to its DeepTech Finder, now including information on 900 European universities and 1,500 startups rooted in university research. This tool was developed to help investors and other stakeholders identify promising startups and academic institutions that have filed patent applications in deep technology areas.

The report, produced in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany, represents the first comprehensive analysis of patent applications from European universities. It covers applications filed with the EPO from 2000 to 2020 and includes not only those filed directly by universities but also applications from entities linked to the academic sector, where at least one of the inventors is a university-affiliated scientist.

“There is a strong tradition of research excellence in European universities, but we sometimes struggle to translate that into commercial success,” said António Campinos, President of the European Patent Office, in a statement. “This study sheds light on patent applications for inventions originating in European universities and provides valuable insights for shaping policies for universities and governments across Europe.”

Shifting Focus Toward University-Owned Patents

The report reveals that universities themselves were not the applicants in two-thirds of the patent applications analyzed; instead, connected entities, often companies, were the applicants. About 30% of these applications came from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, the share of applications filed directly by universities for inventions based on university research has increased significantly, from 24% in 2000 to 45% in 2019. This trend indicates a shift in how European universities approach intellectual property protection, placing greater emphasis on retaining ownership of inventions arising from academic research.

Most patent applications based on university research come from Germany, France, the UK, and Italy. Notably, 5% of European universities account for more than half of all applications. Leading institutions include the University of Grenoble, the Technical University of Munich, Oxford University, ETH Zurich, the University of Copenhagen, and the Polytechnic University of Milan. These universities stand out for their focus on science and technology and their strong technology transfer offices.

The report also highlights that collaborative research leading to patent applications typically occurs within the same country, suggesting opportunities to enhance international research collaboration across Europe.

About the European Patent Office (EPO)

The European Patent Office (EPO) is one of the largest public service institutions in Europe, employing over 6,300 staff. Headquartered in Munich, it also has offices in Berlin, Brussels, The Hague, and Vienna. Established to strengthen patent cooperation in Europe, the EPO enables inventors to obtain robust patent protection in up to 45 countries through a centralized application process, covering a market of approximately 700 million people.
Since Iceland became a member of the EPO in 2004, Icelandic inventors have had access to this efficient patent system. The EPO is also a global leader in patent information and search services.